Near Snow Hill in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

REPLACED

CHECK OTHERS NEARBY

Charging the Furnace

Photographed by Nate Davidson, August 2, 2010

1. Charging the Furnace Marker

Inscription. Carts laden with bog ore, charcoal and shells went up the charging ramp to the loaded into the furnace. Piles of these were placed near the opening at the top of the furnace (also called the tunnel head). About every two hours men would shovel and dump measured quantities of these raw materials into the furnace following proportions set by the manager. This was called charging the furnace. A typical charge consisted of 500 pounds of bog ore, 40 pounds of shells, and 25 bushels of charcoal. A baffle, no longer present, was located over the tunnel head and was removed to charge the furnace. The first manager at Furnace Town was Lewis Walker, brought by the Maryland Iron Company to this furnace from a furnace in New Jersey.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.251′ N, 75° 28.166′ W. Marker was near Snow Hill, Maryland, in Worcester County. It could be reached from the intersection of Millville Road and Old Furnace Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3816 Old Furnace Rd, Snow Hill MD 21863, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on the Eastern Shore.

It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this location: A different marker also named Charging the Furnace (here, next to this marker); Water Wheel (here, next to this marker); Mill Race and Overview (here, next to this marker); Canal (here, next to this marker); Nassawango Iron Furnace (a few steps from this marker); The Mill Race (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nassawango Iron Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); American chestnut (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snow Hill.

Other markers no longer nearby. Hot Blast (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Mill Race and Overview (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Charging the Furnace & Hot Blast Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, August 2, 2010

2. Charging the Furnace & Hot Blast Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2025, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.